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On February 11 the press conference of the members of the Committee on Armenia-European Union Parliamentary Cooperation was held.

The Co-Chair of the Committee Samvel Farmanyan presented details about the works of the 14^th plenary session of the Committee on Armenia-European Union Parliamentary Cooperation held in Strasbourg on February 5-6, touched upon Armenia-EU relations. He has once again reaffirmed that Armenia attaches great importance to the development of relations with the EU, recording that this cooperation should be based on the all-human values. Mr Farmanyan ensured that the targets and directions, with which the cooperation would go on, would be specified in future. He noted that Armenia had never made a statement on being ready to develop its relations with this or that power polar on account of strategic-partnership relations with Russia. Armenia had never excluded its involvement in the Eurasian integration processes and possible membership in the Customs Union. Samvel Farmanyan has recorded that the leadership of the European Union, including the European Commission have made relevant statements in the name of the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neghbourhood Policy Štefan Füle , High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy Catherine Ashton and the Council, with which have recorded that the EU refers to the self-sovereign choice made by the RA and is ready to resume the possible inclusive political dialogue and relations with the RA. By Mr Farmanyan’s assessment, many MPs of the European Parliament have some misunderstanding connected with the RA foreign political last decisions, and in this issue the Armenian MPs have things to do. It has been noted that the works of the Committee on Parliamentary Cooperation usually end over the debated agenda items with the document comparing the viewpoints of the two legally equal parties – the RA NA and the European Parliament on Armenia-EU relationship, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Armenia-Turkey relations and regional problems. With respect to Armenia-EU relations, regional problems and Armenia-Turkey relations the Armenian Delegation and the Delegation of the European Parliament without serious and essential efforts could reach mutually agreed wordings, but the parties had not reached an agreement over the final text. “To say that it is the most efficient way out, naturally, it was not like that. It was an inefficient way out, but to formulate it as a scandal, present as a closing door, opening window in the RA-EU relations is very far from reality,” the Head of Delegation said. He informed those present that the Armenian side has conveyed a draft of proposals to the colleagues of the European Parliament on the NK conflict. After the first day works of the session the Head of the Delegation of the European Parliament has presented their version of wordings on the NK, noting that it is an agreed opinion of all forces of the European Parliament, and it is not subject to discussion. “I have deemed and I deem the proposing version not stemming from reality, not promoting the peaceful settlement of the NK conflict, yielding different manipulations and comments. I consider that the statements made in the name of the RA should not contradict the RA interests but on the contrary, include the interests of the RA in the most efficient way. The Delegation has held the same opinion that the interests of the RA should be protected at best, during our negotiations it has been like that,” he added.

In the opinion of the representatives of the non-power factions included in the Delegation it was possible to reach an agreement and, as a result of discussions, adopt a joint statement.

The members of the Committee on Armenia-European Union Parliamentary Cooperation also answered the journalists’ questions.